SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping and SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer co-edited The Art of Leadership: Perspectives from Distinguished Thought Leaders, which features selected lectures given at SMU by visiting world leaders. The book, published by World Scientific, showcases speeches given over more than 15 years, under the auspices of the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series and Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series. It features leaders in politics, business and academia, including Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, former United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon and former South African president F.W. de Klerk.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is featured in the book, as is his father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who gave the first Ho Rih Hwa lecture in 2002, which is named after Mr Ho's father, a prominent businessman and ambassador. Even as universities are places for the discussion and a confluence of ideas, the book is part of SMU's "branding" as "a centre for thought leadership", said Mr Ho.

Although the book examines eclectic ideas about leadership, some common themes emerge. These include concerns about sustainability and climate change, as well as the need for "more collaborative" leaders, who must convince their followers to come on board with their ideas in an increasingly networked world with independent players such as nation states, multinational companies and international organisations, said Prof De Meyer.